BBP

"Auction, Auction" Platters

On June 4th, each of the ten members of BEYOND BLACK EYED PEAS Gourmet Group provided a platter for 75 guests to the winning bidder at Auction-Auction. It was held in November and the party sold for $3000. It turned out to be an anniversary/birthday party.
Following is the menu:
Caviar Torte & Egg Caviar Mold
Pasta Ravioli with Cheese & Sausage, in fresh Red Pepper Sauce
Oven Roasted Roma Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Herb Oil
Cream Puffs with Chicken Salad
Assorted Cheese Tray
Crab Cakes with Lemon Dill Sauce
Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin
Antipasto Tray
Egg Rolls
Alabama Pecan Smoked Ham
Bacon, Mushroom & Cheese Bites
Seasonal Assorted Dessert Tray

Ort_1

June 13, 2005 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (1)

April Menu

Cucumber Dip
Herb Dip
Picadillo Stuffed Plabano Peppers w/Roased Pepper Sauce
Red Rice
Avocado Salad
Almond Flavored Panna Cotta
Fruit Tea & White Wine

May 09, 2005 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Guess the Secret Ingredient

We had such a grand time at Rosemarie's house for our April meeting. We were greeted by CNN announcing that a new Pope had been elected, which diverted our attention briefly.
Her theme this month was "Guess the Ingredient". The appetizer course was two green dips with vegetables. Then on to a wonderful Grilled Stuffed Pablano Pepper with rice and Avocado Salad. To finish it off, a wonderful Panna Cotta.
There were many guesses - mostly spices like cumin, dill, cocoa, etc - but to ALL OF SURPRISE.......it was TOFU! It obviously takes on many flavors and Rosemarie had great fun tricking all of us!

May 09, 2005 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cucumber Dill Dip & Herb Dip


1/2 lb. extra firm tofu, well drained
2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, chopped
8 green onions, chopped
2 T. oil (I use olive oil)
3 T. white wine or white wine vinegar
2 T. chopped fresh dill or 2 t. dried dill weed
salt and pepper to taste

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Herb Dip (about 1 1/2 c.)

1/2 lb. extra firm tofu, well drained
2 T. fresh parsley
1 T. oil
1 T. fresh basil
1 T. fresh, chopped oregano
1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Click on image to enlarge

Bbp04dip

May 09, 2005 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Picadillo Stuffed Pablano Peppers

Picadillo Stuffed Poblano Peppers (serves 8)

1 lb. extra firm tofu
8 poblano chile peppers
2 T. oil
1 c. diced onion
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 c. sliced mushrooms
1/2 c. scallion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 c. frozen corn kernels
1/2 c. chopped green olives
2 T. capers, drained
1/2 c. raisins
1 T. ground cumin
1 T. chili powder
2 c. shredded Jack cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Freeze 1 lb. extra firm tofu until solid. Thaw, and squeeze excess moisture out. (I place in a dish towel.)

Roast 8 poblano peppers until charred on all sides. Place in paper bag or bowl covered with plastic wrap until peppers are cool enough to peel. After peeling, carefully slit each and remove seeds and as much of the veins as possible without tearing. Set aside.

Crumble thawed tofu until it resembles ground meat. Heat large skillet to medium high; add 1 T. oil; then tofu and sauté until it begins to get color. (It will not brown like meat.) Remove from skillet. Add remaining T. oil to skillet. Cook onion for 2 minutes; add red bell pepper, mushrooms, and scallions. Cook 2 minutes more. Add garlic and spices. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add olives, capers, raisins, corn and tofu. Continue to cook until well blended. Remove from heat.

Stuff poblano peppers with the picadillo mixture and place in greased casserole dish. Sprinkle each pepper with shredded Jack cheese.
Place in preheated 350 degree oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and peppers are hot.

Roasted Pepper Sauce

2 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled and seeded
4 roasted Roma tomatoes
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. olive oil

Blend and strain. Place in small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Drizzle over stuffed peppers when serving.
Bbp04pepper
Please excuse the picture, but I had already started eating and it is from a camera phone.

May 09, 2005 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sides

Avocado Salad (serves 8)

4 avocados, diced
2 c. halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 c. very thinly sliced yellow bell bepper
1/2 c. very thinly sliced red onion, soaked in ice water

Dressing

8 oz. silken tofu
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 T. olive oil
1 c. lightly packed cilantro (stems and leaves)
1/2 t. salt
1 T. intense citrus puree (puree 1/2 whole orange and 2 whole lemons)
Blend until smooth and dress the salad.

Red Rice (my mother's recipe) 6-8 servings

1/2 c. minced onion
1 t. minced garlic
1 T. oil
1 1/2 c. rice (I use brown rice which takes 45 min.)
1 1/4 c. chicken broth
1 15 oz. can tomatoes, diced
1/2 t. salt
(I add 1-3 T. chopped jalapenos, which I did not do for the luncheon)

Cook onion and garlic in oil over medium heat until they are limp. Add rice and stir well for 2 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender. (20 min for white rice). Remove from heat and leave covered for ten minutes. Stir with fork to distribute vegetables evenly.

May 09, 2005 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Almond Flavored Panna Cotta


2c. silken tofu
1 c. soy milk
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. lemon zest
3 T. almond flavored liqueur
1 pkg. unflavored gelatin

Soften gelatin in 2 generous T. water.  Place tofu in blender and blend until creamy. Bring soy milk, sugar, and lemon zest to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Whisk tofu, softened gelatin, and liqueur into the heated soy mixture.
Pour tofu mixture into 4 oz. custard cups and place them in the refrigerator until firm. (At least 4 hours.)
Serve with your favorite fruit and chocolate sauce.

Bbp04des

May 09, 2005 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alex, What is a fork and knife?

Question, What garnish do you use to make your meal look attractive?

O.K. Maybe that's just the way I feel, but I really don't usually spend a lot of time on garnishing my meals - unless there is company coming. So Gerre thought she could help remedy this for us all.

Her theme this month was "Garnishing", but I also heard someone else call it "Embellishment". I guess that is a Southern term like "Glow". You know (same meaning - different term), we belles don't 'sweat', we "glow". But back to the topic at hand.

Well, we were greated by a wonderful glass of Mango Tea and entered her kitchen to see this:

bcentre

And I am thinking....boy, they would really have to be SPECIAL COMPANY! It is absolutely gorgeous and looks like a lot of cutting!

She also had a tray prepared for our examples. But my favorite was this pepper and cucumber palm tree.

bpalmtree


Gerre asked us if we wanted any 'hands on' experience so I tried the Frog Egg and Carol tried the Orange Elephant. Gerre used a garnishing instructional book for us, but I doubt with her skills and experience, she would hardly ever have to reference it.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful chicken salad served in a garnished tomato and then no bake cheesecake with fresh peach glaze. Thanks, Gerre - a great time was had by all.

bmain


PS - You can click on the thumbnail pictures of the garnishes that follow to get a bigger picture.

August 25, 2004 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mango Tea

btea

Ingredients
• 1  cup chopped refrigerated mango slices
• 1  cup pineapple juice
• 8   green tea bags
• 2  4-inch mint sprigs
• 4  cups boiling water
• 1   to 2 tablespoons sugar
•    Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the chopped mango and pineapple juice in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate the pureed mixture.
2. Meanwhile, in a large glass bowl, pour boiling water over the tea bags and mint sprigs. Cover and let steep 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and mint sprigs. Cool, covered, for 1 hour. Chill for 2 hours.
3. Transfer the chilled tea to a 2-quart pitcher; add the pureed mango mixture and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
4. To serve, pour the tea mixture into ice-filled glasses. Garnish each glass with an additional mango slice and a pineapple star. Makes 6 (8-ounce) servings.

Nutritional facts per serving
calories: 66, total fat: 0g, saturated fat: 0g, cholesterol: 0mg, sodium: 4mg, carbohydrate: 16g, fiber: 0g, protein: 0g, vitamin A: 5%, vitamin C: 31%, calcium: 1%, iron: 3%


August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hummus Trio served in Swan Garnish

bswan

Gerre picked up 3 pre-packaged containersof hummus from Publix, but served it in the beautiful swan garnish.

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Frog Egg Garnish

bfrogf

You will need an egg, radish, marshmallow, olive, and sliced pickle. (Plus toothpicks to hold it all together)

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe, Picture | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elephant Orange Garnish

belephant

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe, Picture | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cucumber Leaf Garnish

bleaf

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe, Picture | Permalink | Comments (0)

Radish Flower Garnish

bcenter

See radish attached to the eggplant centerpiece.

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe, Picture | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
4 eggs
1 red apple, diced
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup chopped pecans
fajita seasoning to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chicken and cook until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink inside, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, cool and chop.


Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.


In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, sliced eggs, apple, onions, relish, mayonnaise, celery, pineapple (with just a little juice for flavor), cilantro, pecans and fajita seasoning to taste.

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

No Bake No Fat Cheesecake with Peach Glaze

1 (6-oz.) ready crust graham cracker pie crust
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-oz.) can eagle® brand sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1/3 cup lemon juice from concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Top with fruit in season

With mixer, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in Eagle Brand‚ until smooth. Stir in lemon juice, and vanilla. Pour into crust. Chill at least 3 hours.

After chilled, top with fruit glaze. Refrigerate leftovers.

Tip: Add whipped cream or other garnish as desired.

August 25, 2004 in Inspired Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

August Menu

Mango Tea
Hummus Trio (garlic & artichoke, roasted red pepper, regular)
Frog Egg Garnish
Elephant Orange Garnish
Cucumber Leaf Garnish
Radish Flower Garnish
Mediterranean Chicken Salad in Tomato
No Bake/Fat Cheesecake with Peach Glaze

August 25, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

July Menu

Our meeting was cancelled this month.

July 24, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

June Menu

8 Gourmet Picnic Baskets with different themes
Since each basket contains 3 or 4 recipes, you have to go to the right side of the website under "ARCHIVES" and click on "June 2004" to see all the posts.

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wilma Hall's Asian Picnic

Fruit Salad with Ginger Syrup
Cucumber Salad
Salmon Roulade on Pumpernickel Toasts
Asian Chicken Salad
Assorted Desserts - Pitted Cherries, Coconut Macaroons, Chocolate Demi-tarts

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Courtney Schroeder's High Seas Picnic

White Bean Nut Butter Dip with Carrots and Celery
Watermelon Salad with Mint Leaves and Feta
Grilled Beef Satay with
Green Papaya Salad in Lettuce Wraps
Assorted Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells on Raspberry Sauce

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bonnie Hale's Flower Pot Picnic

Shrimp Amuse with Red Sauce and Remoulade Sauce.
Cold Artichoke Rice Salad
Chef Shelly's Blue Cheese Focacio Bread
Grapes
Barefoot Contessa Lemon Cake with Blueberry Sauce

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carol Proctor's Picnic

Minted Apricot Couscous
Ceasar Coleslaw
Grilled Dixie Chicken with Cayenne Spice Rub
Chocolate Pound Cake III

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Val Forster's Assorted Salads

Chinese Chicken Salad
Grilled Salmon Salad
Orzo Salad

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nancy Lindsey's Picnic Lunch

Pork Wraps with Cilantro Tzatziki Sauce
Corn-fetti Salad
Tomato Tart
Amaretto Walnut Brownie

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rosemarie Brooks - Picnic Potpourri

Shallot Butter Sandwiches
Pesto-Goat Cheese Spread
Garlicky Pita chips
Chilled Roasted Tomato Soup
Poached Salmon with Tarragon Sauce
Green Bean and Bacon Salad with Vinaigrette
Pecan and Fig Pockets

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bea Cameron Menu

Curried Chicken Salad in Pineapple Boat
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
Way Beyond Black Eyed Pea Salad
Strawberries with Rum Dipping Sauce
Blackberry Cobbler

June 16, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pictures

To follow:

YOU GOTTA SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!

June 16, 2004 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wilma Hall Recipes

Fruit Salad with Ginger Syrup

Syrup:
3 Cups Water
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups thinly sliced fresh ginger (1/2 lb unpeeled)

Fruit Salad:
4 cups (1 inch pieces) summer fruit ( berries, melons, peaches)
3 T small mint leaves

Syrup: Bring water, sugar and giner to a boil in a 2 guart saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove fromh eat and let steep 15 minutes. Pour ginger syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding ginger. Chill, covered at least 2 hours.

Salad: Toss fruit and mint with 1/4 cup syrup or to taste.

Syrup keeps, refridgerated for 2 weeks. Add a spoonful to a glass of club soda, sparkling water or iced tea.

Serve over ice cream or sorbet.

Cucumber Salad

3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced.
Sprinkle with salt and refriderate for 1 hour. Drain cucmbers.
Add:
2 small wite onions, sliced
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 T Cider vinegar
2 T sugar

Mix together and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Salmon Roulade on Pumpernickel Toasts

8 oz. thinly sliced smoked salmon
2/3 cup whipped cream cheese (about 4 ozs)
2 T. chopped fresh dill
2 T. chopped drained capers
2 T. finely chopped red onion
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 one pound loaf sliced cocktail size pumpernickel bread.

Fresh dill
drained whole capers

Arrange half of salmon slices in single layer on large sheet of plastic wrap, overlapping salmon to form 9 x 7 rectangle. Mix cream cheese and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl to blend. Season with salt & pepper. Spread half of cream cheese mixture over salmon leaving 1/4 inch border. Starting at 1 long side and using plastic as an aid, roll up salmon jelly roll style. Wrap plastic around salmon rooll; twisting ends to seal. RepeatChill overnight.
Cut out 2 inch rounds from each pumpernickle. Place on cookie sheet. Bake in 450 degree overn about 5 minutes. Cool. Cut salmon into 1/2 inch rounds. Place on toast. Garnish with dill and capers.


Chicken Salad

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp soy sauce
1/8 - 1/4 tsp curry powder

Salad:
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
5 oz frozen peas thawed 1 6 oz jar cocktail onions drained
2/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup sliced water chestnuts
1 2 oz bag toasted slivered almonds
1 cup chinese noodles

Combine dressing. Mix well.

Combine salad ingredients except chinese noodles. Season with salt and add dressing. Mix well and serve topped with chinese noodles.

Dessert:
Pitted cherries
Coconut Macaroons
Chocolate demi-tarts

June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Courtney Schroeder Recipes

White Bean Nut Butter with Vegetables

- a small can (400 g) of white beans
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp sesame butter (a.k.a. tahini or tahina)
- the juice of a lime
- 4 sun dried tomato halves
- 2 squirts of chili sauce
- 2 splashes of Worcestershire sauce

Drain the white beans, reserving the liquid for later. In a food processor, combine the white beans with the nut butters and the lime juice. Blend until smooth. If you find the mixture a bit too thick, add a little of the reserved bean liquid until the desired consistency is reached.

Add the tomatoes and the chili and Worcestershire sauces, mix again. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Try not to overmix, it's nice if the sundried tomatoes remain in little pieces, not completely blended into the dip. Serve with little sticks of vegetables, toasts or crackers.

{www.chocolateandzucchini.com}

1 (5-pound) watermelon
1 Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
6 whole mint sprigs

Cut the flesh from the melon and cut into bite size pieces, removing and discarding the seeds, and set aside. Peel and slice the onion into rings.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, taste, and adjust seasonings.

In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta. Pour the dressing over the melon mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and evenly mixed. Garnish with mint sprigs.

To serve, divide salad among individual plates and garnish with mint leaves.


{www.foodtv.com - Paula's Southern Cooking}

Grilled Beef Satay

1 pound beef tenderloin, cut into 2-inch strips
20 wooden skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes
1 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 lemon, juiced
Vegetable oil, for grilling
Cilantro leaves, for garnish

Thread the beef onto the soaked skewers, working the skewers in and out of the meat so that it stays in place while grilling. Combine yogurt, ginger, garlic, curry powder, and lemon juice in a shallow platter and stir to combine. Place the beef skewers into the yogurt marinade and turn them until they are well coated. Cover and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.

Place a grill pan over medium heat and brush it with oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Grill the satays for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until nicely seared and cooked through. Serve piled on a large platter garnished with cilantro.


Green Papaya Salad in Lettuce Wraps

The dressing:
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/4 cup fish sauce, such as nam pla or nuoc nam
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 lime, juiced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon red chili sauce, such as Srirachi Hot Chili Sauce
Kosher salt

The salad:
1 large green papaya, peeled and julienned, see note
1 cup bean sprouts
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and julienned
1 red onion, sliced thin
1 small red chile, sliced thin
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Butter lettuce leaves, for serving


For the dressing: In a small bowl add all ingredients and mix well. Set aside for about 1/2 hour to allow the flavors to develop. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

For the salad: Combine papaya, bean sprouts, cucumber, onion, and red chile in a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and mix well. Mound onto a platter, garnish with cilantro leaves, and surround with butter lettuce leaves.


(www.foodtv.com - Food 911}

Assorted Belgian Chocolate Seashells on Raspberry Sauce

1 package (10 ounces) Deluxe Red Raspberries
thawed and drained (reserving juice)
1 /2cup sugar
2 tablespoons raspberry jam

In medium saucepan, combine reserved raspberry juice and sugar; stir in raspberry jam. Bring raspberry mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes,allowing mixture to slightly thicken. Remove from heat and stir in raspberries.


June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bonnie Hale Recipes

Cold Artichoke-Rice Salad

1pkg. chicken flavord Rice a Roni
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
8 sliced, stuffed olives (or more)
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
(save marinade)
small pkg. toasted, slivered almonds
Dressing
artichoke heart marinade
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 to 1 tsp. curry powder
Cook Rice a Roni as directed on pkg, except omit butter when browning the rice and noodle mixture (cook in teflon skillet). Remove from heat and let stand until room temperature. Then add onions, green pepper, olives, artichoke hearts and almonds. Blend the dressing ingredients, beat and mix well. Toss together with the rice mixture and let stand in refrigerator forseveral hours. Best when mad 24 hours ahead, Keeps for weeks.

Lemon Cake--Barefoot Contessa*****
1/2 lb unsalted butter, room temp
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra large eggs, at room temp
1/3 c grated lemon zest (6-8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t kosher salt
3/4 c freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 c buttermilk at room temp
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
FOR THE GLAZE
2 c confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
Preheat oven 350. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.
Cream butter and 2 c sugar in electric mixer fitted with paddle until
light
and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With mixer on med speed, add the eggs,
one at
a time and add lemon zest.

Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 c lemon juice, buttermilk and vanilla. Add flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending
with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between 2 pans, smoothe the tops and bake 45 min to an hour (DO NOT OVERBAKE) until cake tester comes out clean.
Combine 1/2 c granulated sugar with1/2 c lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until sugar dissolves. When cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pan and set them on a rackset over a tray or sheet pan; Spoon lemon syrup over them (both tops and bottoms),
Allow cakes to cool completely.

For the GLAZE: Combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carol Proctor Recipes

MINTED APRICOT COUSCOUS

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

1 1/3 cups water
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup couscous
1/2 English cucumber
6 fresh apricots
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

In a 3-quart saucepan bring water, oil, honey, and cumin to a boil and stir in couscous. Immediately remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Seed cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Pit apricots and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in
cucumber, apricots, mint, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm
or chilled.

Serves 6 as a side dish.


Gourmet
June 1999

CAESAR COLESLAW

1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
9 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 2 1/4-pound head of savoy cabbage, halved, cored, very thinly sliced
(about 16 cups)
16 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Whisk first 4 ingredients in small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Place cabbage and green onions in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Mix cheese into coleslaw. Transfer to large shallow bowl and serve.

Makes 8 servings.


Bon Appétit
July 2003

Chocolate Pound Cake III
A dense chocolate cake made in a Bundt pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar for a nice presentation. Prep Time: approx. 30 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 1 Hour . Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 30 Minutes. Makes 1 - 10 inch Bundt pan
(16 servings).

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
3 cups white sugar
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules dissolved
in 1/4 cup hot water
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Mix together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the dissolved coffee and buttermilk. Pour
batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Serve with chopped strawberries and chocolate syrup (optional).

GRILLED DIXIE CHICKEN WITH CAYENNE SPICE RUB

2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (packed) golden brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning with garlic and onion
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 4-pound chickens, quartered, rinsed, patted dry

1 sourdough baguette, cut on diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices

Combine first 9 ingredients in small bowl; whisk spice rub to blend well. Transfer 1 tablespoon spice rub to medium bowl; add butter and mix well.
(Rub and seasoned butter can be made 2 days ahead. Cover separately. Chill butter. Bring butter to room temperature before using.)

Sprinkle spice rub over both sides of chicken pieces. Arrange chicken pieces on waxed-paper-lined baking sheets. Cover chicken with more waxed paper and let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Reserve 4 tablespoons seasoned butter. Spread remaining seasoned butter on 1 side of baguette slices. Place bread slices on platter and cover. Place chicken on grill, skin side up. Grill 20 minutes. Turn chicken over. Grill until skin is deep golden brown, about 15
minutes. Turn chicken again and grill, skin side up, until cooked through (no red shows when chicken is cut at thigh bone), about 5 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to platter. Brush chicken with reserved 4 tablespoons seasoned butter.

Grill bread until just golden, about 2 minutes per side. Arrange toastsaround chicken and serve.

Makes 8 servings.

Bon Appétit
July 2003

June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Val Forster Recipes

Chinese Chicken Salad.......Ina Garten

8 split chicken breasts (bone in, skin on)
good olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. asparagus, ends removed, cut into thirds diagonally
2 red bell peppers, cored and seeded
4 scallions(white and green parts), sliced diagonally
2 T white sesame seeds, toasted

Dressing:
1 C veg oil   
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/3 c soy sauce
3 T dark sesame oil
1 T honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 t peeled, grated fresh ginger
1 T white sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 c smooth peanut butter
4 t kosher salt
1 t freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.  Place chick breasts on sheet pan and rub skin with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 min.  Set aside until cool enough to handle.  Remove meat from bones and shred into large, bite-sized pieces (discard skin.)  Blanch asparagus in pot of boiling salted water til crisp tender.  Plunge into ice water to stop cooking.  Drain.  Cut peppers into strips.  Combine chicken, asparagus and peppers in a large bowl.  Whisk together all ingredients for dressing and pour over salad.  Add scallions and sesame seed and season to taste.  Serve cold or at room temp.


Grilled Salmon Salad.....Ina Garten

2 lbs. fresh salmon fillets, skin on
good olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 c small-diced celery
1/2 c small-diced red onion
2 T minced fresh dill
2 T capers, drained
2 T raspberry vinegar
2 T good olive oil
1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 t greshly ground black pepper

Prepare grill.  Cut salmon fillets crosswise into 4 inch wide slices.  Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Cook on grill 5-7 min on each side until they are rare.  Do not overcook.  Remove to a plate, wrap with plastic and chill in refrigerator until cold and very firm.  When fillets are cold, remove skin.  Break fillets into very large flakes and put into a bowl, adding any juice that has collected on bottom of plate.  Add celery, onion, dill, capers, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.  Mix well and serve cold or at room temp.


Orzo Salad

1 box orzo pasta
1 box currants (I used craisins instead)
1 jar capers (rinsed)
2 peppers ( red, yellow or orange....or combination)
2 c ch pecans or walnuts
1 bunch parsley chopped
zest of 2 lemons
juice of 2 lemons
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 c olive oil
salt and pepper

Chop ingredients and put in mixing bowl while you're boiling water and cooking orzo.  Drain and cool orzo and put into bowl with ingredients.  Add olive oil, salt and pepper.
This is good made a day ahead.  Also, it makes a large salad.....good for parties!



Marinated Greek Salad

1 jar marinated artichoke salad
feta cheese, cubed
grape tomatoes 

Mix together and serve cold or at room temp.


With the above salads I served store-bought herb-cheese cracker bread.

June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nancy Lindsey Recipes

PORK WRAPS

Whole Wheat Tortillas
Bib Lettuce
Roast Pork
Cilantro Tzatziki Sauce

Top the whole wheat tortilla with a large lettuce leaf. Spread the leaf with Cilantro Tzatziki Sauce. Top with thin slices of roast pork and roll up. Serve at room temperature.

Cilantro Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup yogurt
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
Splash of lemon juice
Salt to taste

CORN-FETTI SALAD

3 ears of fresh corn
1/2 cup of diced red pepper
1/2 cup of diced green pepper
1/4 cup of diced sweet onion
1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno
1/3 cup mayonnaise

Roast the corn on a grill until done turning regularly. Let cool and cut the kernels off the cob. Combine corn with all of the above ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

TOMATO TART

Prepared or home made pastry dough
Grape tomatoes thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded mozarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Julienned basil leaves

Bake pie crust for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Combine all
cheeses, sour cream and mayonnaise. Should be a paste like
consistency.
Place a layer of the cheese mixture on the bottom of the tart and
spread
evenly. Then add a layer of basil leaves. Next add a layer of
tomatoes.
Salt and Pepper the tomatoes at this time. Add a final layer of the
cheese
mixture and bake at 350 degrees until golden and bubbly. Cooking times
will
depend on the size of the tart.

AMARETTO WALNUT BROWNIES

2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1/4 cup amaretto
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups of walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 square pan. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, combine the butter and chocolate and melt. Remove from heat and let stand until cool. Add amaretto. Combine sifted flour and baking powder in a medium bowl. Beat eggs until thick and
creamy. Gradually beat in sugar. Continue beating until mixture is thick mousse-like. Gradually fold in chocolate mixture, alternating with the dry ingredients. Fold in the nuts. Pour batter into pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overcook.

June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rosemarie Brooks Recipes

Shallot Butter Sandwiches

1 c. dry white wine
1 T. minced shallots
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 T. finely chopped parsley
24 slices very thinly sliced whole wheat bread
Salt and pepper to taste

In a small saucepan simmer the wine with the shallots until it is reduced to about 1/2 T. Let cool. Beat into the butter and parsley a little at a time. Add salt and pepper. Spread butter mixture on bread.

Pesto-Goat Cheese Spread
Process 1 11 oz. log goat cheese, 1 8 oz. package softened cream cheese, 2 c.. loosely packed basil leaves, 1/2 c. toasted pine nuts, 3 garlic cloves and 2 T. balsamic vinegar in a food processor until smooth. Chill. May be frozen up to 4 mos.

Garlicky Pita Chips

Split pita rounds. Mix olive oil and pressed garlic cloves. Brush on pita rounds. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stack rounds and cut stack into 6 wedges. Place wedges in single layer on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 5-6 min. or until crisp.

Chilled Roasted Tomato Soup

2 1/2 lbs. fresh tomatoes
1 T. butter
1/2 lb. onions, coarsely chopped
1 celery rib , coarsely chopped
1 small carrot, shredded
4 c. chicken stock
1/8 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice
1/4 t. cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste

Roast tomatoes until charred. Pick off blackened skin.
While tomatoes are roasting, put butter and remainder of ingredients in a sauce pan with 1 c. of the chicken broth. Simmer, covered for about 10 min. Add the tomatoes and  the rest of the chicken stock; cover again and cook about 15 min. Puree in a blender or food processor; then strain out seeds and skin, pushing the solids through. Return to saucepan. Simmer, uncovered for another 10 min. Cool before refrigerating.

Poached Salmon with Tarragon Sauce

6 oz. salmon filets
Equal amounts water and dry white wine

In a deep skillet or saucepan, bring wine and water to a simmer. Place filets in the liquid. (Make sure the fish is covered with liquid.) Simmer for 5-8 min. until desired degree of doneness is achieved.
Chill.

Tarragon Sauce

1/2 c. loosely packed tarragon leaves
1/3 c. chopped chives
1 lg. shallot
3/4 c. flat leafed parsley
1 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. rice vinegar
2 t. Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingreadients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Chill

Green Bean and Bacon Salad with Vinaigrette

1 lb. green beans trimmed
1/4 lb. thick cut bacon, cut into 1/4 in. pieces
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 T. grainy mustard
1 T. hot water
Pinch sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 c. olive oil

Place green beans into salted boiling water. Cook for 4 min. Remove with slotted spoon and immerse in ice water.
Cook bacon until crisp.
Combine remaining ingredients in a jar. Shake to emulsify.
Toss green beans and bacon with vinaigrette.

Pecan and Fig Pockets

1 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. sugar
2 T. fig preserves
2 t. fresh lemon juice
1 box frozen puff pastry
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix pecans, sugar, preserves and lemon juice.
Cut a strip of pastry 2 in. wide. With a lightly floured pin, roll it out lengthwise on a lightly floured surface so that you wind up with a strip of dough about 3 in. wide and 1/8 in. thick. Cut squares 3 by 3 in. and put a heaping t. of filling in the center of each. Fold over, making a triangle, seal at the point with a dab of beaten egg, and then press it into place with tines of a fork. Repeat until all filling is used.
Brush tps of the triangle with egg and put on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 6 min. and trn oven down to 350 degrees. Continue until browned, about 10 min. more. Makes 18 to 20 triangles.



June 16, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

May Menu

Margaritas
Sangria
Guacamole, Peach Salsa, Strawberry Salsa and Chips
Tomato Gazpacho with Tower of Crab
Southwest Cornbread
Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
Grilled Pineapple with Rum Raisin Ice Cream

May 28, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

I take life with a grain of salt

a slice of lime and a shot of tequila.

invite

Well, in case you thought I am original...I'm not. This theme came from Bonnie's "Dieciocho de Mayo" May luncheon. ( A take-off of Cinco de Mayo ).

One of the rules of "Beyond Black-Eyed Peas" is that the Hostess Rules! Meaning, she can cook if she wants to...she could have a guest chef...or in this case - she can make it like a 'potluck' and have people bring different dishes.

We were greeted with some Sangria and Margaritas made from special family recipes. Carol, Nancy and I brought the appetizers. We enjoyed the Guacamole Salad, Strawberry and Peach Salsa.

Moving from the patio to the dining room for the meal, we were treated with Anne's gazpacho with crab. This recipe and the dessert both came from Bon Appetit this month.

For the main course, we dined on
fajita

fajita salad with creamy cilantro lime dressing and once again, some fabulous "special family recipe" kahlua pecans!

It would be hard to follow up a course like that, but leave it to Wilma to succeed. The finale' - roasted pineapple with rum raisin ice cream!

May 28, 2004 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (0)

My Momma's Margaritas & Sangria

My mommas Margaritas
2 fifths Tequila
1 pt triple sec
3 1/2 qts water
8 6 oz can limeade
8 oz lime juice
Mix, freeze (1/2 recipe fits in a gal milk jug with room to spare).
Return
to refrigerator 6 hours before serving. Dip rims of glasses in lime
juice
and then salt.
Makes 58 4 0z drinks (Or 1 BBP luncheon)

Sangria

25 oz red wine
1/2 c Brandy
1/2 c Triple sec
1/3 c frozen lemondade concentrate
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 c. gingerale
1/3 c orange juice
Mix all the day before serving
Add fruit to glasses

{Bonnie Hale - My Momma}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Guacamole


"You can make this avocado salad smooth or chunky depending on your tastes."

Yields 4 servings.

3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced onion (white)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
tabasco to taste


In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

{Carol Proctor - www.allrecipes.com}


May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peach Salsa

2 cups peeled and diced ripe peaches
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon jalapeno pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons fresh ginger chopped finely
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
honey to taste (optional if peaches are not sweet)

Combine all ingredients. Let flavors mellow for 30 minutes and serve

Soften a brick of philadelphia cream cheese and serve salsa on top with toasted corn chips

{Nancy Lindsey}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Strawberry Salsa

2 cups strawberries, finely chopped by hand do not use a processor
1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1 jalapeo pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1\3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar

Chop the strawberries using a knife, since a processor will turn it into a liquid puree too quickly, and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the red pepper, onion, jalapeo, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice and sugar. Combine well and season with salt and pepper. Allow to macerate for 1-2 hours, refrigerated.

{Courtney Schroeder - Chef Michael Lomonaco of New York's Noche restaurant}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomato Gazpacho with Tower of Crab

2 lbs of plum tomatoes (about 12 large), cored, quartered
1 1 lb English hothouse cucumber, peeled, cubed
1 large red bell pepper, quartered, seeded
1 large yellow bell pepper, quartered, seeded
1/2 8-oz white onion diced
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Crab Salad
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over, broken into small lumps

Finely diced peeled English hothouse cucumber
Finely diced red bell pepper
Finely diced yellow bell pepper
Chopped fresh chives

For Soup: Working in batches, puree tomatoes, cucumber, all bell peppers, onion, garlic, oil, and vinegar in blender. Strain puree through sieve into large bowl, pressing hard on solids to extract as much pulp and liquid as possible.
Whisk cayenne pepper into soup, season to taste with salt. Cover: refridgerate until cold, at least 3 hours. ( Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refridgerated)

For Crab Salad: Combine shallots, mayonnaise, minced chives, lemon juice, ketchup, and cayenne pepper in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Fold in crabmeat. Season salad to taste with salt. Line 8 small deep glasses or custard cups with plastic wrap, leaving overhand. Divide salad equally among prepared cups (about 1/3 cup for each). Press salad to compact and conform to shape of container. Cover with over hand. Chill until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

Open plastic on top of salads. Turn out each salad into shallow soup bowl. Peel off plastic. Carefully pour soup into each bowl around crab salad. Sprinkle soup with croutons, finely diced cucumber, bell peppers, and chopped chives.

{Anne Miller - June 2004/Bon Appetit}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce

Marinate 4 chicken breasts, cut in strips in
1 T olive oil
1 t Gr. Cumin
1 t Paprika
1 t Chili Powder
1/2 t Salt
1/4 t Pepper

Cook in sprayed skillet 8 minutes or until chicken is done
Make dressing first
Divide in 4 bowls the following:
6 cups shredded romaine
1 1/2 c thin green peppers
1 c thin red onion rings
1/2 c Monteray Jack shredded
2 T ripe olives
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, cut in 8 wedges
Top with chicken

Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
1/2 C Sour Cream
1/2 C Light Mayonnaise
1/3 Skim Milk
3 T Lime Juice
2 T Chopped Fresh Cilantro
1 T Balsamic
2 Large Garlic, Minced
Combine and whisk
Cover Sauce and Chill


Toasted Chile Pecans
1 c pecan halves
2 T vegetable oil
2 T kahlua
1/2 to 1 T. chili powder
2 t granulated sugar
2 t salt
toss nuts with oil and kahlua until evenly coated.Combine chili powder,
sugar and salt and pour over and toss again. Spread on a baking sheet
and
toast at 300 degrees--Stirring frequently for about 25 minutes.
Do not let burn.

Mexican Cornbread
-Recipe to follow

(Rosemarie Brooks, Val Forster, Ruth Bond, Gerre Bixenman}

with Mexican Corn Bread

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rum-Roasted Pineapple with Rum Raisin Ice Cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
6 whole allspice
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
8 3/4 inch thick rounds peeled very ripe pineapple (from 1 large)
1/2 cup golden raisins (about 1 1/2 ounces)
2 pints rum raisin ice cream

Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Whisk in sugar, rum, and allspice. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Cook until sauce is thick enough to coat spoon and reduced to 1 cup, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; discard vanilla bean and allspice. ( Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover: chill. Rewarm before tasting.)
Preeat broiler. Arrange pineapple rounds on rimmed baking sheet. Brush both sides of rounds with some of rum sauce; reserve remaining sauce. Broil pineapple close to heat source until deep brown on top, watching carefully and rotating baking sheet to prevent burning about 8 minutes. Transfer 1 pineapple round to each of 8 plates.
Add raisins to remaining sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat 3 minutes to blend flavors. Top each pineapple round with scoop of ice cream Spoon sauce over and serve.


{Wilma Hall- June 2004/Bon Appetit}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Southwest Cornbread

Southwest Cornbread

1 c. flour                              1 can chopped green chilies
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 t. baking powder               3/4 c. shredded jack cheese
2 T. sugar                              1 T. each sugar and chili powder, combined
3/4 t. salt
2 large eggs
1 c. nonfat yogurt
1/4 c. melted butter

Mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. In another bowl, beat eggs to blend with
yogurt and 1/4 c. butter. Pour liquids into flour mixture and stir just until evenly moistened. Scrape batter into  buttered 8 in. square pan and spread smooth. Sprinkle sugar, chili powder mixture over batter.
Bake in a 400 degree oven until bread springs back when lightly pressed in the center and begins to pull from pan sides, about 25 min.

{RoseMarie Brooks}

May 28, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

April Menu

Pineapple Sparklers & White Wine
Cantaloupe-Horseradish or Vegetable Gazpacho with Spicy Seared Scallops
'Bayou Blast' Red Snapper in foil
Bananas Calypso Flambe' over Louisana Crumb Cake

April 26, 2004 in Luncheon Menu | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dressed to Grill - Savvy Recipes for Girls Who Play With Fire

Ssshhhhhhhh....can you hear it? It's the song 'Hot Hot Hot' - which could have been our theme song this month.
I was the host and I was inspired by this idea
Dressed2Grill

My accomplice, Grace and I greeted all the guests with a Pineapple "Sparkler" - a 'refreshing' choice in Bonnie's words.

In the theme of grilling, I decorated with plaid tablecloths and bandanas. The first choice for the ladies was whether to start with the 'Cantaloupe Gazpacho' or 'Tomato Gazpacho'. The grilled portion of this dish was the 'Spicy Seared Scallops' that accented the chilled soup on wooden skewers.

GirlGlasses.

I served a snapper dish that can be cooked in a tinfoil packet on the grill and served on a bed of greens. I don't have a picture of the dish, but I have a picture of everyone enjoying their meal.

Finally, we ended the luncheon with 'Calypso Bananas Flambe'" over Louisanna Crumb Cake.

bananacake

A big thank you to my guest, Linda Lance, for her helping hands and a hostess word of caution....Don't serve wine from a scallop bowl - it can tip over!

April 26, 2004 in Monthly Musings | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pineapple 'Sparklers'

2 cups Pineapple Juice
2 cups 7 up or any lemon lime soda
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Cup Vodka

Directions

Mix all ingredients - serve over ice

April 26, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gazpacho with Spicy Seared Scallops

2 large cloves of garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 slice day-old bread, torn into small pieces
1/2 bunch watercress, or 2 outer romaine leaves
1/4 cup rice wine or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 large fresh basil leaves
1 can beef or vegetable broth
6 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cups V8 juice
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 fresh sea scallops, cleaned and blotted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 (10-inch long) bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes, then drained
Vegetable oil for brushing
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Gazpacho:

In food processor or blender, puree the garlic, sugar, cayenne and bread.

Trim away any tough watercress stems or remove the tick spines of the romaine leaves.

Add watercress or romaine to the work bowl.

Add the vinegar, oil, basil, and beef or vegetable broth.

Process until pureed.

Transfer to another bowl and stir in tomatoes and V8 juices.

Add salt and pepper to taste

Cover and chill.

Scallops:

Prepare a medium-hot fire ..

In bowl, toss the scallops with olive oil and a little salt and pepper

Set aside for 15 minutes, then thread 4 scallops onto each skewer or cook directly on the grill.

Brush grill grate w/ veggie oil.

Grill for 2 minutes on each side.

Slide them off skewers and top them with gazpacho.

*Dressed To Grill

April 26, 2004 in Cookbook Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

'Bayou Blast' Red Snapper in Foil

  INGREDIENTS  
 
* 1 cup each medium diced zucchini, squash, roma tomato and red onion
* 1/4 cup olive salad
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
* 4 15-inch squares of heavy-duty aluminum foil
* 4 teaspoons Emeril's Original Essence
* 4 6- to 8-ounce red snapper filets
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 6 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 4 ounces frissee
* 8 ounces baby spinach
* 1 bulb endive, sliced thinly at a 45° angle
* 1 tablespoon minced shallots
* 3 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
 
  Preheat the oven to 350°.

In a medium bowl, combine the vegetables with the olive salad, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Mix together to combine.

Season the fish generously on both sides with the Emeril's Original Essence.

Fold each piece of aluminum foil in half. Open each folded piece and place 1/4 of the vegetable mixture just below the crease and in the center of each foil square. Place a snapper filet on top of the vegetables. Drizzle each fillet with 1/2 a tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Fold the foil over the fillet and tightly crimp the edges to form a seal. Place the pouches on a sheet pan and place in the oven to bake for about 25 minutes.

While the fish bakes, in a large mixing bowl, combine the frissee, baby spinach, endive and red onion. Season the lettuce with salt and cracked black pepper, and toss to combine. Divide the lettuces among 4 entrée plates.

Remove the fish from the oven. Combine the shallots, vinegar and mustard in a medium bowl set over a plate covered by a dishtowel to prevent the bowl from moving while whisking. Whisk the mixture while gradually adding the remaining 1/3 cup of the olive oil. Gently pierce each fish packet and whisk the juices into the vinaigrette. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper. Place the fish and vegetables over each salad. Divide the vinaigrette evenly over the 4 salads and serve immediately with crusty bread.  

April 26, 2004 in Actual Recipe | Permalink | Comments (0)

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